The Strathclyde Briton clans of the Scottish/English Borderlands were the first to use the name McLeland. It is derived from the son of the servant of Fillan. Fillan is derived from the word fail which means wolf. In Gaelic, the name was spelled Mac Gill Fhaolain

McLeland Early Origins

The surname McLeland was first found in the former counties of Kirkcudbrightshire and Galloway where Chief Duncan MacLellan appears in a charter of Alexander II in 1217. Other early records of the surname include Gilbert M'Lolane, who lived around the year 1270. Gilbert's son Patrick, along with several others, took the castle of Dumfries from the supporters of Robert the Bruce in around 1305. Gilelbertus MacLelan was elected Bishop of Man and the Sudreys in 1325 and held the position for almost 3 years.

McLeland Spelling Variations

McLeland Spelling Variations

The origin of rules governing the spelling of names and even words is a very recent innovation. Before that, words and names were spelled according to sound, and, therefore, often appeared under several different spelling variations in a single document. McLeland has been spelled MacClelland, McClellan, MacLellan, McLellan, MacLelland, McLelland, MacClelland, McClelland, Clelland and many more.

McLeland Early History

McLeland Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McLeland research. Another 399 words (28 lines of text) covering the years 1347, 1466, 1457, 1450, 1547, 1633, 1647, 1513, 1597, 1641 and 1st are included under the topic Early McLeland History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McLeland Early Notables (pre 1700)

McLeland Early Notables (pre 1700)

Notable amongst bearers of this family name during their early history was Sir William Maclellan of Bombie, knighted by King James IV of Scotland, who fought for the king in the losing Battle of Flodden Field in 1513. According to folklore, McLellan threw his gauntlet at the king's feet, shook his...

Another 55 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McLeland Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McLeland In Ireland

McLeland In Ireland

Some of the McLeland family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 179 words (13 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

The persecution faced in their homeland left many Scots with little to do but sail for the colonies of North Ameri ca. There they found land, freedom, opportunity, and nations in the making. They fought for their freedom in the American War of Independence, or traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In both cases, they made enormous contributions to the formation of those great nations. Among them:

McLeland Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Andrew, Catherine, Henry, James, John, Martha, Robert, and William M'Cleland, who all settled arrived in Charles Town, South Carolina in 1767

The McLeland Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The McLeland Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.